Topic: Advice adding LED turn signals. Which relays?

[preacher]

Looking to replace oem signals with smaller LED's and can't seem to solidify which relays are needed in order to make them operate properly.

Bike is a 78 CB550.

Any insight is appreciated.

TY

[bryanj]

You need and electronic relay that states it is good for led and it will only work properly if you have a seperate idiot light for each side, which the 79 should have

[Erny]

you can adopt also for 1 common idiot light, I have it like that.
I keep using normal bulbs, but with LED capable relay (electronic) - reason is that bulbs are on immidiately after I push blinker switch - much safer on the road. On legacy bimetal relay it takes time till bulbs are on after you touch switch.

[bryanj]

No, the bimetal comes on immediately and turns off with heat

[Erny]

Ok then I'm wrong, you are right Just wanted to say that ones "standard" I had on my CB750 and 550 had the same behavior - they came on only after waiting period...

[preacher]

Thanks for the feedback.

Any insight on which ones to get? PN?

[newday777]

Looking to replace oem signals with smaller LED's and can't seem to solidify which relays are needed in order to make them operate properly.

Bike is a 79 CB550.

Any insight is appreciated.

TY

Welcome to the forum preacher

Please verify what bike you have as there was no 1979 CB550.

Is your flasher relay 2 prong or 3 prong?

[newday777]

Looking to replace oem signals with smaller LED's and can't seem to solidify which relays are needed in order to make them operate properly.

Bike is a 79 CB550.

Any insight is appreciated.

TY

Welcome to the forum preacher

Please verify what bike you have as there was no 1979 CB550.

Is your flasher relay 2 prong or 3 prong?

If you have a 2 prong relay, get this flasher with the ground lead and put the wired lug to a ground screw or cut off the lug and put on a barrel connector and plug it into the extra green wire in the harness(if you have a 1978 and earlier bike)

https://www.walmart.com/ip/CEC-Industries-EF32RL-Electronic-Turn-Signal-Flasher-Relay-LED-Compatible-2-Ground-Wire-Prongs-12-Volts/804573903

[preacher]

Looking to replace oem signals with smaller LED's and can't seem to solidify which relays are needed in order to make them operate properly.

Bike is a 79 CB550.

Any insight is appreciated.

TY

Welcome to the forum preacher

Please verify what bike you have as there was no 1979 CB550.

Is your flasher relay 2 prong or 3 prong?

If you have a 2 prong relay, get this flasher with the ground lead and put the wired lug to a ground screw or cut off the lug and put on a barrel connector and plug it into the extra green wire in the harness(if you have a 1978 and earlier bike)

https://www.walmart.com/ip/CEC-Industries-EF32RL-Electronic-Turn-Signal-Flasher-Relay-LED-Compatible-2-Ground-Wire-Prongs-12-Volts/804573903

Thanks for catching that..yes it is a '78. Updated my profile.

I will have to look. Did the '78 come with both style/options?

[newday777]

78 should have a 2 prong flasher.
When I asked, I wasn't sure what bike you had.

[newday777]

BTW
Go to the new members section and introduce yourself and your bike. Pictures are always welcome.

[Bodi]

If you like the instant on behaviour, an electronic 2 prong flasher is not for you. There are three prong electronic ones that work with LEDs and do it. There are, unfortunately, several types of 3 prong flashers and some will just pop your fuse the first time you test (they add a second output for trailer lights, idiot light, or something... so power is sent to what you think is the ground connection). The right kind for cars/trucks will flash fast with LEDs... they have a current sensing function that does the fast flash to flag a burnt out "normal" bulb. I like the fast flash though.

[newday777]

If you like the instant on behaviour, an electronic 2 prong flasher is not for you. There are three prong electronic ones that work with LEDs and do it. There are, unfortunately, several types of 3 prong flashers and some will just pop your fuse the first time you test (they add a second output for trailer lights, idiot light, or something... so power is sent to what you think is the ground connection). The right kind for cars/trucks will flash fast with LEDs... they have a current sensing function that does the fast flash to flag a burnt out "normal" bulb. I like the fast flash though.

Never heard of that.

Post a link where to get it and examples of that happening.